Product Shooting Tethered - Flash will not Fire

I'm playing with a new set of Einstein lights with a Cyber Commander and trying to do some
product shots

Here is what works [camera not tethered];

- light subject with external light
- auto focus
- turn camera to MF
- expose on camera [flash fires via CC]

Here is what doesn't seem to work

- use EOS utility to manually focus on object in Live View
- attempt to fire flash
- camera is reporting under exposure more than -2 [flashing red]
- expose using EOS Utility - flash does not fire
- set to MF .. flash still does not fire

What am I doing wrong. Is there some setting I need to change. Is there an AF option that I need to turn off/on. Can I not expect the flash to fire if the camera thinks it doesn't have focus.

I don't want to have to use AF all the time. I want to be within EOS utility .. re-focus and reposition my item as necessary and still have it fire the flash.

Is this something on camera, within in EOS utility, a setting on the CyberCommander that I am missing ...

If you do not have a Canon flash or Canon compatible flash in the hotshoe, ie: the CC, you have to go into the menu and set SILENT MODE to DISABLE. This is not an option if you are shooting Rebel series camera.

dedsen wrote in post #13564195
If you do not have a Canon flash or Canon compatible flash in the hotshoe, ie: the CC, you have to go into the menu and set SILENT MODE to DISABLE. This is not an option if you are shooting Rebel series camera.

sorry to resurrect this, but if I'm shooting a Rebel series camera then I cannot fire a flash during live view?

In response to your issue:

I am using a 5Dmkll while theathered to a computer running EOS and using a Bowens radio trigger to fire the 2 x Bowens flash heads with one end of that communications system attached to the hot shoe with the corosponding reciever plugged into one of the flash units and also unable to use the auto focus facility simultanioulsy. This was followed by my reading the manual once again, reviewing all the online forums, checking all the connectivity between computer and camera, staring at my toes in disbelief having failed to resolve the issue.

My only work around to date is to set up the shot with the camera lens in 'auto focus' mode using the EOS 'Remote Live Shooting Window' as my guide so I can see my composition, adjust the DOF and sharp focal point, this on the computer screen using while illuminating using constant modeling lighting. Then once set up, return to the camera and change the operational mode of the physical lens from Auto back to Manual, thus locking the focus, knowing the shot is set up. Return to the computer, set the EOS control panel lighing mode to manual, then re-adjust the ISO to accomodate the flash. Shut down the 'Remote Live Shooting Window' altogether, instead open the 'Test Shooting' Window, using the assocated trigger fire the camera from that dialogue box and hey presto the flash works. Auto focus has gone out the window at this point. Once the test image materialises in the window, I set my white point against the 'in picture' grey card then take another shot to confirm all channels are equal at say 160 each and if not use the eye dropper to establish a new White Point. Confirm the adjust ment Then begin my session saving the images via the the 'Save' control within the 'Test Shot' window.

Now this is very complicated when compaired to shooting with non flash lighing which allows for full control of the camera.

However I don't imagine that this is a very proffessinal work around, and there has to be a better way, so if anyone has an alternative solution please post it as it would be most welcome.

Many thanks friends
PQA AM

imsellingmyfoot wrote in post #13723480
sorry to resurrect this, but if I'm shooting a Rebel series camera then I cannot fire a flash during live view?

What flash are you using?
You did see the comment above about Live View and non-Canon flashes right?

dedsen wrote in post #13724735
What flash are you using?
You did see the comment above about Live View and non-Canon flashes right?

I did. I'm actually using a Cactus V5 trigger.

I do not think you have any option. The only solution is turn off silent mode and you do not have that option in the Rebel series cameras. You could try a hot shoe adapter with a simple sync cord connected to the V5. Not sure if this would work either, but it would eliminate the communication pins and maybe fool the camera.

dedsen wrote in post #13724906
I do not think you have any option. The only solution is turn off silent mode and you do not have that option in the Rebel series cameras. You could try a hot shoe adapter with a simple sync cord connected to the V5. Not sure if this would work either, but it would eliminate the communication pins and maybe fool the camera.

The V5's are just the center firing pin. By being in the hotshoe, they are pushing down on the little sensor in there, and even a hotshoe cable would do that, correct? I didn't think I had much of an option. Thanks for your help.

dedsen wrote in post #13564195
If you do not have a Canon flash or Canon compatible flash in the hotshoe, ie: the CC, you have to go into the menu and set SILENT MODE to DISABLE. This is not an option if you are shooting Rebel series camera.

Well Dedsen, I'm so impressed, thanks for the insight, what a relief. SIlent Mode/disable pg 122 of the user manual, the key to full theathered camera functionaly when using RC Flash. Why is this, as this simple solution seems just so lateral? Many thanks again.
PQA AM